Podolski is excited by the push to secure one of the Premier League's best players, relishing the chance to play alongside him rather than worry about competition for places.

"[Suarez] is a big player," the German told reporters. "He's scored a lot of goals so he's a big striker but it's not my decision to speak about this, it's a decision for the coach. I don't know what will happen in the next weeks.

"I'm happy when players come in. I want to play with the best players in the world but I'm not scared about big names because it helps the team and it helps me to help the team when we play together.

"The coach has his system and we will see what will happen in the next few weeks.

"At every big club you have competition, particularly at a club of the size of Arsenal. When all of the players are fit and we don't have injuries there is big competition. Every player wants to play football and nobody wants to sit on the bench."